ASTROAI USER MANUAL AUTO RANGING DIGITAL CLAMP METER

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Auto Ranging Digital Clamp Meter from AstroAI. The AstroAI Auto Ranging Digital Clamp Meter is designed to be safely and accurately used by professionals in a commercial setting or weekend DIYer's that need a little more utility from their standard digital multimeter. This manual provides all safety information, operation instruction, specifications, and maintenance for the meter. The instrument performs AC/DC Voltage, AC Current, Temperature, Resistance, Audible Continuity, Diode, Frequency, Capacitance, and Duty Cycle. Thank you again for choosing AstroAI, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your product, please contact us at support@astroai.com.

NOTE: Fully read and understand this manual before using this Digital Multimeter.

This manual provides all safety information, operation instruction, specifications, and maintenance for the meter. This Digital Clamp Meter has been designed according to EN61010-1 oncoming electronic measuring instruments with an overvoltage category (CAT III 600V CAT II 1000V) and Pollution degree 2.

WARNING

To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury, and to avoid possible damage to the Meter or to the equipment being tested, adhere to the following rules:

• Before using the Meter, inspect the exterior casing. Do not use the Meter if it is damaged or if all or part of the exterior casing is removed. Look for cracks or missing plastic. Pay special attention to the insulation around the connectors.
• Inspect the test leads for damaged insulation or exposed metal. Check the test leads for continuity.
• Do not apply more than the rated voltage, as marked on the Meter, between the terminals or between any terminal and grounding.
• The manual rotary switch should be placed in the correct position before measurement and should NOT be moved during measurement to prevent damage to the Meter.
• When the Meter is working at an effective voltage over 60V in DC or 30V rms in AC, special care should be taken because there is a danger of electric shock.
• Use the proper terminals, function, and range for your measurements.
• Do not use or store the Meter in a high-temperature environment, do not expose to high levels of humidity, or near strong magnetic fields. The performance of the Meter may deteriorate after dampening.
• When using the test leads, keep your fingers behind the finger guards.
• Disconnect circuit power and discharge all high-voltage capacitors before testing resistance, continuity, or diodes.
• Replace the battery as soon as the battery indicator appears. With a low battery, the Meter might produce false readings that can lead to electric shock and personal injury.
• Remove the connection between the testing leads and the circuit being tested, and turn the Meter power off before opening the Meter case.
• When servicing the Meter, use only the same model number or identical electrical specifications replacement parts.
• The internal circuit of the Meter shall not be altered at will to avoid damage of the Meter and any accident.
• Clean using a soft cloth and mild detergent for the surface of the Meter. Do not use abrasive materials or solvents to prevent the surface of the Meter from corrosion and damage.
• Turn the Meter off when not in use and take out the battery when it is not going to be used for an extended period of time. Regularly check the battery as it may leak when it has not been used for some time. Replace the battery as soon as leaking appears. A leaking battery will damage the Meter.

General Information

Electrical Symbols

Multimeter Diagram

1. Transformer Jaws: Picks up AC Current flowing through the conductor.

2. Trigger: Press to open the transformer jaws; when the trigger is not pressed, the jaws will automatically close.

3. Hz/Duty Button: Push this button when in the Hz position to select Hz or Duty Cycle measurement. When selecting the AC Current function, this button can measure frequency.

4. Range Button: Allows manual or automatic selection of measurement range for AC/DC voltage, AC current, and resistance.

5. Display: 3 5/6 digit LCD, with a maximum reading of 5999.

6. Input Connect Jack: High input for all functions except voltage; accepts banana plugs.

7. COM Input Jack: Low input for all voltage, resistance, and continuity measurements; accepts banana plugs.

8. Function/Range Selector: Rotary switch to select the desired function and range.

9. Select Button: Used to select specific measuring functions or ranges within a selected mode (e.g., resistance, continuity, diode).

10. Function Switch: Rotary switch to select the primary measurement function (e.g., V, A, Ω, Temp).

11. Hold Button: Press to hold the current reading on the LCD. Press and hold for three seconds to activate the backlight. The backlight has a preprogrammed auto-off to save energy.

LCD Screen Diagram

The LCD screen displays various indicators and readings. Key indicators include:

• 1. Duty Cycle: Indicates Duty Cycle measurement mode (⎔).
• 2. Fahrenheit: Indicates temperature is displayed in Fahrenheit (°F).
• 3. Celsius: Indicates temperature is displayed in Celsius (°C).
• 4. Continuity: Indicates Continuity test mode ())) symbol).
• 5. Diode: Indicates Diode test mode (⏓ symbol).
• 6. Auto Range: Indicates Auto Range mode is active (AUTO).
• 7. Auto Power Off: Indicates the automatic power-off feature is active ([auto-power-off] symbol).
• 8. High Voltage Warning: Symbol indicating a potentially dangerous voltage is present (⚡⚠).
• 9. Data Hold: Indicates the displayed reading is being held (H symbol).
• 10. MAX: Indicates the Maximum reading is displayed.
• 11. MIN: Indicates the Minimum reading is displayed.
• 12. DC: Indicates Direct Current or Voltage (DC).
• 13. Negative Sign: Indicates a negative reading (-).
• 14. AC: Indicates Alternating Current or Voltage (AC).
• 15. Low Battery: Symbol indicating the battery needs replacement (?).

The main display area shows numerical readings and units like MkΩ, Hz, mV, nF, %.

Specifications

DC VOLTAGE (Auto ranging)

Input Impedance: 10MΩ

Overload Protection: 600V AC RMS CAT III, 1000V AC RMS CAT II

Max. Input voltage: 600V AC RMS CAT III, 1000V AC RMS CAT II

AC CURRENT (Auto ranging)

Measuring voltage drop: 200mV

show True-RMS value

AC VOLTAGE (Auto ranging)

Input Impedance: 10MΩ

Overload Protection: 600V AC RMS CAT III, 1000V AC RMS CAT II

Max. Input voltage: 600V AC RMS CAT III, 1000V AC RMS CAT II

show True-RMS value

TEMPERATURE

Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC rms

RESISTANCE (Auto Ranging)

Open Voltage: about 0.25V

Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC RMS

DIODE AND CONTINUITY

Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC RMS

For continuity test: When the resistance is between 30Ω and 100Ω, the buzzer may sound or may not sound. When the resistance is more than 100Ω, the buzzer won't sound.

FREQUENCY (Auto Ranging)

FREQUENCY (Through clamp)

CAPACITANCE (Auto Ranging)

DUTY CYCLE

Operation Instructions

Measuring Voltage

1. Connect the Black test lead to the COM Jack and the Red test lead to the V Jack.
2. Set the function switch to V≈ or mV≈ range.
3. Connect the test leads to the source or load to be measured.
4. Read the LCD display for the polarity of the Red test lead. The result will be a DC measurement.

NOTE:

• When measuring in a small range (E.G. mV), the meter may display an unstable reading when the test leads have not been connected to the load to be measured. It is normal and will not affect the measurements.
• To avoid damage to the meter, do not measure a voltage which exceeds 600V for DC Voltage or 600V for AC Voltage under CAT III conditions and 1000V for DC Voltage and 750V for AC Voltage under CATII conditions.

Measuring Current

1. Set the function switch to the 60A, 600A, 1000A range.
2. Press the trigger to open the transformer jaws and clamp one conductor only.
3. The result displayed will be AC Current.

Measuring Resistance

1. Connect the Black test lead to the COM Jack and the Red test lead to the Ω Jack.
2. Set the function switch to the "Ω" range.
3. If desired, press the Range Button to manually select the measurement.
4. Press the Select Button to select the resistance measurement mode. The symbol "MΩ" will appear as an indicator on the screen.
5. Connect the test leads to the load being measured.
6. Read the results on the display.

NOTE:

• For resistance measurements >1MΩ, the meter may take a few seconds to stabilize the reading. This is normal for high-resistance measurements.
• When the input is not connected, (E.G. the circuit is open) the symbol "OL" will be displayed as an over range indicator.
• Before measuring in-circuit resistance, be sure that the circuit being tested has all power removed and all capacitors are fully discharged.

Continuity Test

1. Connect the Black test lead to the COM Jack and the Red test lead to the Ω Jack.
2. Set the function switch to the ")))" range.
3. Press the Select Button to select the continuity measurement mode. The ")))" symbol will appear as an indicator.
4. Connect the test leads to the load being measured.
5. The meter will emit a sound if the resistance is less than approximately 30Ω.

Diode Test

1. Connect the Black test lead to the COM Jack and the Red test lead to the Ω Jack.
2. Set the function switch to the ⏓ range.
3. Connect the red test lead to the anode of the diode to be tested and the black test lead to the cathode.
4. The meter will show the approximate forward voltage of the diode. If the connections are reversed, "OL" will be shown on the display.

Measuring Temperature

1. Set the range switch to the TEMP position.
2. Make sure the polarity of the thermocouple is correct; put the cold end (free end) of the thermocouple sensor into the terminal (Black to COM Jack and Red to °C/°F Jack).
3. Set the working end (testing end) on or inside the object being tested.
4. The value of the temperature is shown on the display in degree centigrade.
5. Press the Select Button, Fahrenheit and Celsius can be converted back and forth.

NOTE:

• The testing temperature is displayed automatically when the thermocouple is put into the testing jacks.
• The surrounding temperature is shown when the circuit of the sensor is cut off.
• The temperature limit measured by the thermocouple with the instrument is 250°C; 300°C is possible to measure within a short time period, but in order to measure even higher temperatures, it is necessary to purchase a higher range thermocouple.

Measuring Capacitance

1. Connect the Black test lead to the COM Jack and the Red test lead to the Ω Jack.
2. Set the range switch to the "^" position (Capacitance range).
3. Connect the test leads across the capacitor being measured and be sure the polarity of the connection is observed.

NOTE: When the capacitance under measure is above 100uF, it needs at least 5 seconds to make reading stable.

Measuring Frequency (Auto Range)

1. Set the range switch to the Hz/Duty position.
2. Connect the Black test lead to the COM Jack and the Red test lead to the Hz Jack.
3. Connect the test leads to the load being measured.

NOTE: Do not apply more than 250V rms to the input. It is possible to receive an indication of a voltage higher than 100V rms, but the reading may not be accurate.

While using the clamp to measure AC Current, press the [frequency-key-symbol] key, the meter will display the frequency of the measured current.

Auto Power Off

If the meter is idle for about 15 minutes, it will automatically power off. To turn it on again, just rotate the range switch or press a button.

Battery Replacement

If the low battery symbol (?) appears on the display, it indicates that the battery should be replaced. Remove the screws and open the back case. Replace the dead battery with a new one (9V NEDA 1604, 6F22 or equivalent).

Included in Box

• 1 x Owner's Manual
• 1 x Test Lead Pair
• 1 x K Type Thermocouple
• 1 x Battery (9V)

Disposal of this Article

If you at some point intend to dispose of this article, please keep in mind that many of its components consist of valuable materials, which can be recycled. Please do not discard it in the garbage bin, but check with your local authorities for recycling facilities in your area.

1 Year Warranty Limited Warranty From AstroAI

Each AstroAI Digital Multimeter will be free from defects in material and workmanship. This warranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries and damage from neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident, or abnormal conditions of operation or handling, including overvoltage failures caused by use outside the Multimeter's specified rating, or normal wear and tear of mechanical components. This warranty covers the original purchaser only and is not transferable.

If this product is defective, please contact AstroAI Customer Support at support@astroai.com.